OS Image & Deployment

Creating a New Image:

Step 1: Create a Clone (note a Snapshot is a moment in time)

• Open VirtualBox and make sure your Windows Server 2019 VM is shut down.

• Select the VM, click on "Machine" in the menu, and then choose "Take Snapshot."

• Name your snapshot and add a description if needed. Click "OK."

Step 0: Make sure you've installed PRTG within Windows Server 2019 before cloning it.

Step 1: Create a Clone

• With your VM still selected, click on "Machine" and then "Clone."

• Follow the wizard to create a clone of your VM. Choose "Full Clone" to duplicate the entire system.

• Name your new VM, and click "Clone."

• Make sure it's a Full clone

Deploying the OS Locally:

Step 1: Start the Cloned VM

• In VirtualBox, find your cloned VM, select it, and click "Start."

• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Windows Server 2019 on the cloned VM.

Step 2: Update Settings (if necessary)

• It will have the same password as your original server

• Change the computer name to avoid conflicts with the original VM.

• Configure network settings if needed.

Step 3: Rename the computer

Step 4: Restart the computer

Step 5: Choose a reason to shut down computer (doesn't really matter which one)

Deploying the OS Remotely:

(You will be uploading this file to your OneDrive and sharing with your tutor, so they can import, run and check you off for Remote Deployment - make sure to send them the Administrator password so they can login)

Step 1: Export the VM

• If you want to share the VM with others, export it by selecting the VM, clicking "File," and choosing "Export Appliance."

• Follow the wizard, and save the exported file.

Step 2: Share the VM or Transfer Files

• Share the exported file with others, or transfer it to another computer if needed.

• Import the VM on another VirtualBox by selecting "File" -> "Import Appliance" and choosing the exported file.

Step 3: Start the Imported VM

• Once imported, start the VM on the new system.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Windows Server 2019.

With this method, you occasionally get errors to do with how the network settings were done within a Virtual Box. 

If you share with your Tutor a clone of Windows Server 2019, you will not get this error, so please ignore any further steps below.

Click on Change Network Settings